Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis (whooping cough) is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The disease is highly infectious and most serious in babies under the age of 12 months. Babies are at greatest risk of infection until they can have at least two doses of the vaccine (minimum 4 months old) as the mother's antibodies do not provide reliable protection. It is spread through droplets in the air and it can develop from upper respiratory tract (nose, throat and windpipe) infections into pertussis pneumonia (lung infection).

It takes between 7 to 20 days for symptoms of this disease to show after infection. Symptoms include coughing and ";whooping";, which can continue for a few months.

Complications of the disease include hypoxic encephalopathy (lack of oxygen to the brain) leading to brain damage and possibly death.

To receive a child pertussis immunisation, visit your local doctor or immunisation provider. It is important to note that the vaccine is provided at no cost, however a consultation fee may apply.

In addition, a single booster dose of adult formulation pertussis vaccine (dTpa) is recommended for all adults planning a pregnancy, for both parents as soon as possible after delivery of an infant, and for grandparents and other carers of young children. Alternatively, dTpa can be given to women during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Whooping cough vaccine is available for women in public maternity units for the opportunistic postpartum vaccination of new mothers, if they have not received a pertussis vaccine in the previous 5 years.